UPDATE: Google, Inc. (GOOG) seeks U.S. antitrust probe of patent privateering
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(Updated - April 5, 2013 2:11 PM EDT)
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) is joining BlackBerry (Nasdaq: BBRY) in encouraging U.S. regulators to investigate whether competitors are violating antitrust agreements in hiring firms to file patent infringement suits on behalf of the competitor.
The term privateer stems from small firms obtaining patents from larger companies and using that intellectual property to commence litigation with the likes of Google.
A filing was made with both the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Justice today.
Companies said to be using privateers include names like Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), BT Group (NYSE: BT), and Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU).
Generally, cross-licensing agreements are entered into when two companies enter a patent dispute. With privateers not in the business of manufacturing goods or products, there's little chance of recourse.
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) is joining BlackBerry (Nasdaq: BBRY) in encouraging U.S. regulators to investigate whether competitors are violating antitrust agreements in hiring firms to file patent infringement suits on behalf of the competitor.
The term privateer stems from small firms obtaining patents from larger companies and using that intellectual property to commence litigation with the likes of Google.
A filing was made with both the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Justice today.
Companies said to be using privateers include names like Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), BT Group (NYSE: BT), and Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU).
Generally, cross-licensing agreements are entered into when two companies enter a patent dispute. With privateers not in the business of manufacturing goods or products, there's little chance of recourse.
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